It was already summer in the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The main army was stationed in Ningping City (now Ningping Town) in Ku County (now Luyi County of Henan Province, the hometown of Taoist Laozi). The army was prepared to rest for a few days and deal with the increasing number of refugees.
Along the way, there were already more than 100,000 civilians who had followed Sima Yue's coffin to seek protection from the army. If this continued, the number of refugees would only increase. If they did not rest and reorganize, they would not be able to move anymore. The existing grain and materials could not supply all the troops and the people who were constantly joining them for a long time. Moreover, the number of civilians would only increase. This was also something that Wang Yan and Sima Fan had not expected. The country was broken and the Hu invaded. When these people, who were forced to be homeless and had nowhere to go, saw such a 100,000-strong royal army, how could they not come and seek refuge? Wang Yan could not abandon so many people. Tens of thousands of people knelt on the ground, but anyone with a conscience could not abandon them. Sima Fan was also very hesitant. With so many people, how much distance could he walk every day? There were still Hu chasing after him. If this continued, he would be caught sooner or later. Sigh…
There were already many kings who came forward to reprimand Wang Yan and Sima Fan for taking care of these refugees. To them, their lives were the most important. What were these damn refugees compared to their lives? If we continue to move slowly, we'll all be killed by the Hu, let alone these refugees!
Wang Yan and Sima Fan heard the truth from them, so they were very hesitant. It was fine for them to make plans, but it was really difficult for them to make decisions in the face of such a big event. Moreover, no one wanted to bear the bad reputation of abandoning the people, but they were the decision-makers now. Wang Yan hated those who let him lead. He wanted to be a benevolent person respected by the world, but he didn't want to die in vain. Was there no way to kill both sides? Was he really going to abandon these people and let them be slaughtered by the Hu? These were all his own people. They had submitted all the way because they saw the army and thought that they had a chance to survive. If they abandoned them, they would be abandoning the world. Could a regime without the hearts of the people last long? However, if they did not give up, they would all die once they were caught! It was difficult! Sima Fan looked at the commoners, but his heart seemed to have become firm…
There were still a large number of refugees joining this huge group. It was like a drowning person seeing a life-saving straw...
Although the soldiers had been ordered to separate the refugees, if they did not make a decision, even if they were not caught up by the Hu Krupp, they would be dragged down to death by the huge number of refugees. Wang Yan and Sima Fan listened to the quarrels and attacks of the princes and ministers in the tent. Some demanded to abandon the people, some insisted on bringing the people with them, some talked about great principles, and some ridiculed and mocked them. It was very lively. The two of them looked at each other helplessly. The determination in each other's eyes turned into hesitation, and time passed quickly...
I slowly got down from the carriage and looked at the heavily guarded army and the densely packed refugees outside the army. How could I calm down? The army was cooking and setting up a dozen relief points to distribute food. I was happy with Wang Yan's actions. At least this higher-up hadn't completely forgotten about the people. I just had an ominous feeling that these people would slow down the army's advance. If the Hu caught up, the consequences would be unimaginable. The only thing we can do now is to pray that the plan left behind by Teacher can deceive the Hu, and there isn't a single wise person among them. Only then can we safely reach the East Sea, and we can plan ahead. I don't have the ability nor the right to give any advice to Wang Yan. In their eyes, I'm just a four or five-year-old girl who needs protection. What kind of persuasion can I have?
Aunty Hong, Little Green, and I were also restricted to the area around our carriage. Because we were worried that the refugees would cause chaos and other reasons, Liu Biao's 50 elite cavalry and the 100 cavalry that Ran Zhan brought from Bingzhou were all around my carriage. There were also 3000 soldiers sent by Wang Yan. They were very strict and attached great importance to my protection.
I returned to the carriage. It seemed that this was the only place that could calm me down. Xiao Lu and Auntie Hong were already eating. Although it was getting late, the sky was still very bright. I nestled in a corner and quietly thought about my thoughts.
Seeing that I was a little unhappy, Xiao Lu slowly approached me and asked,"Princess, why are you unhappy? Did Young Master Liang bully you? Hmph, I'll go and reason with him. Seriously!”
I shook my head and said softly," It's not his fault. It's just that I feel bad seeing so many refugees. They're all so pitiful. They all want to live…"
" Princess, the world isn't good. We can't do anything about it. If it wasn't for the princess, Little Green might have starved to death…" As Little Green spoke, it remembered its own background, and the tears in its eyes flowed down unconsciously…
I looked at Xiao Lu's pitiful appearance and couldn't bear it any longer. I reached out and hugged her thin shoulders. I gently touched her head and gently coaxed her,"Little Green, don't cry. It's all in the past. Look, it's not bad that the three of us are relying on each other now.”
"Hmm, Princess, do you want to eat a pancake too?”
" Okay." I smiled and took the cake from Little Green. I chewed it slowly. It was very fragrant.
Auntie Hong looked at the two of us and didn't say anything. She just quietly looked at the scene outside through the window. She was only thinking about how to protect the two of us…What if the Hu really caught up to us? What would she do herself?
I didn't notice anything strange about Aunty Hong. I was thinking about something as I ate. Suddenly, I thought of Liu Bei during the Three Kingdoms Era. Liu Xuande, who was chased by Cao Cao all the way, abandoned Fancheng and Xinye, also brought a large number of people with him on his way to escape. The people were so willing to follow him because they thought he was reliable. Perhaps Cao Cao was afraid to see such a united army and people, so he killed them all. However, Liu Bei was related at that time. Zhang... Zhao San was a world-famous tiger general and was assisted by Zhuge Kongming, the world's number one military adviser at that time. Therefore, he was able to escape. Can we also turn misfortune into good luck this time?
I silently prayed in my heart. Although we don't have Guan, Zhang, or Zhao, we still have Ran Zhan, Liu Biao, and so many Sima Wangye. There are also so many talented people in the civil and martial arts. I hope the heavens will give us a way out. Aren't so many refugees the people of the gods and buddhas? That's right! They would definitely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune. So many people would definitely be able to safely take the risk. I firmly believe this. But I don't know what decision Wang Yan and Sima Fan are prepared to make. Perhaps they still have some conscience, but what about those princes and nobles who live like kings? I really couldn't be at ease. I had to find a way to make them unable to abandon these people. These were all the people of my Sima Clan. I, Sima Ming Yue, definitely couldn't abandon them. I clenched my fists tightly and started to think about what I could do…
Xiao Lu saw that my eyes had suddenly become firm and felt happy. To her, this world was very simple. As long as the princess was good, then she was good. The princess's everything was his everything. If one day she could become him again, would she be a little important in his heart…
I looked at Little Green's face that had suddenly turned red in confusion. Why was this girl suddenly infatuated with him again? It was really strange…
Summer's sky gets darker late, but it's still very bright at this hour. Aunty Hong wants to take advantage of the bright sky to sew some clothes for Little Green and me. Little Green and I are at the age of liveliness, so how can we endure being cooped up in the carriage? They got off the carriage together and prepared to find Ran Zhan to chat. They also brought a lot of dry food and let the soldiers carry it on their backs to find Ran Zhan together.
Ran Zhan and the other soldiers did not sleep in the tents. Firstly, the space in Ning Ping City was relatively small, and the terrain was uneven. Almost no one could stand on a flat ground with a hundred people. It was also summer, so many soldiers slept with their clothes on.
Ran Zhan and Liu Biao happened to be together. The two of them were eating buns (a kind of food that Henan people often ate) while exchanging their martial arts experiences.
The arrival of Little Green and I made the two of them very happy, but after being happy, they began to worry. After all, my identity was too special, and the current environment was not optimistic. If anything happened to me, it was really unimaginable…
"I, Liu Biao, pay my respects to Your Highness!”
"I, Ran Zhan, pay my respects to Your Highness!”
Both of them bowed and saluted me.
This kind of etiquette was not used in private meetings in Bing Province, but it was not allowed in Wang Yan's army. Therefore, I calmly accepted their salute and directly said, Brother Liang, General Liu, I want to go to the camp of the commoners to take a look. I also brought some food, hoping to do something for them."
Ran Zhan looked at me in surprise.
Liu Biao also looked at me strangely. In this chaotic war, a little girl going to the refugee camp, isn't she messing around?!
I knew what they meant from the expressions on their faces, but I was determined.
Liu Biao suddenly knelt down on one knee and solemnly said to me,""Princess, this general and these 50 elite cavalrymen were personally assigned to you by the Prime Minister. Their lives and deaths belong to the princess. However, this general cannot agree to your request today. It is too chaotic outside now, which is why the Grand Commandant has sent 3000 soldiers to protect your safety. Even the Prime Minister's spirit in heaven would not agree. Please reconsider, Your Highness!
" That's right, Your Highness. Grand Marshal Wang won't agree either." Ran Zhan's echoing tone was mixed with a commanding tone.
At this moment, the refugees in the outer perimeter suddenly began to charge into the outer perimeter. The soldiers began to stop them, and both sides began to fight. There were also many women and children kneeling on the ground and crying. For a moment, the entire Ning Ping City was in an uproar...
" Reporting, Generals. The commoners heard that the army was abandoning them, so they started to charge into the barracks to request to see the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant ordered all the battalions to hold fast and not let a single refugee in. He also ordered the two Generals to hold fast to their own camps and not make any movements. They must protect the Princess 'safety!"
Ran Zhan and Liu Biao bowed.”
The herald quickly left to report to the next camp.
Ran Zhan and Liu Biao looked at each other. The meaning in their eyes was very clear. The situation was getting more and more chaotic. They absolutely could not let the princess be in danger!
"Brother Liang, General Liu, Ming Yue knows what to do. I will take responsibility for what I have done today. I have made up my mind. All of you follow me and protect me. Send soldiers to inform the people that the princess is going to see them. Don't attack the barracks again and don't make the situation worse!”。
I paused for a moment and then said loudly," As the most legitimate princess of the Sima family and the last blood of Emperor Hui, I order you to follow me to the refugee camp!”
Ran Zhan and Liu Biao could feel the determination in my tone, and both of them knew that although Ming Yue was small, if she had made up her mind, she would not be able to persuade him. Could it be that they had the right to stop her? What right did he have to stop her? This was the first time Ming Yue had used her identity as a princess to suppress the two of them!
Liu Biao looked at Ran Zhan and said with difficulty,"Ran Zhan, go arrange for the soldiers to follow the princess. I'll clear the way."
"Yes!" Ran Zhan agreed, but the worry in his eyes became more and more obvious.
Liu Biao and Ran Zhan were arranging manpower while calling for someone to inform the Grand Commandant. I knew that they were doing this for my own good, so I didn't stop them. Besides, I also hoped that Wang Yan and the others would come out of the camp to meet the refugees after they knew about it. As long as they knew that I went to the refugee camp as a princess, they would definitely come out to look for me. My identity and my value were there. No one would let me suffer any harm. Then, they, or the other princes, the officials, and the nobles would not be able to abandon these people. This is really the only thing I can think of and do for them…
refugee camp
"Princess Ming Yue has arrived!" The soldiers shouted loudly. The civilians had already heard from the soldiers that Liu Biao had arranged for them that I was coming, so they had already stopped their impulsive actions of charging into the barracks. After all, they had seen so many sharp blades. They didn't really want to fight the government troops to the death. Since someone was willing to come out to see them, they naturally hoped that someone could save them from the fire and water. Therefore, when they heard that I was coming, they consciously parted to two sides. There was no expectation in their eyes when they looked at me, only coldness...
I walked to a slightly higher slope and looked down at these homeless people. I felt that my decision to come here was correct. Ran Zhan and Liu Biao's 150 men surrounded the small slope, and the other 3000 soldiers also formed a circle around it.
" Ask them to send a few representatives to see me," I said softly to Ran Zhan.
(This book's only group ID: 138930598)
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